North Korea tells South to show respect to mend ties

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Thursday that South Korea must show the “utmost respect” if it wants to restore relations with North Korea.

Her statement followed Pyongyang’s denial of responsibility for a mine blast inside the Demilitarised Zone last month that wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul and the US-led United Nations Command have said a joint investigation found the blast was caused by North Korean mines laid on the South Korean side of the border.

South Korea’s military demanded an official apology last week, accusing North Korea of “a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement”. South Korea’s civilian leadership has also called for Pyongyang to return to dialogue.

Kim said South Korea should show respect, concern and sincerity if it wanted to reverse relations. She also said North Korea had “nothing to exchange” with South Korea and no need to meet face to face.

A South Korean government report released Wednesday said Seoul had secured a UN sanctions exemption to send medical equipment to North Korea next month. Government sources said the aid programme was worth about 9.3 billion won, or $6.95 million.

Kim described the aid move as an attempt by Seoul to pivot from what she called a “self-orchestrated farce”. She said any action by Seoul, whether driven by “evil intention or good faith”, would be regarded as a challenge and a grave provocation.

South Korea’s defence minister Kang Shin-chul said the mines believed responsible for the blast were laid more than a year ago as part of North Korea’s border fortification work.